scholarly journals Pirfenidone attenuates lung fibrotic fibroblast-mediated fibrotic responses to transforming growth factor-β1

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin Jin ◽  
Shinsaku Togo ◽  
Kotaro Kadoya ◽  
Miniwan Tulafu ◽  
Yukiko Namba ◽  
...  

AbstractPirfenidone, an antifibrotic agent used for treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), functions by inhibiting myofibroblast differentiation, which is involved in transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-induced IPF pathogenesis. However, unlike normal lung fibroblasts, the relationship between pirfenidone responses of TGF-β1-induced human fibrotic lung fibroblasts and lung fibrosis is unknown. Here, we investigated the effect of pirfenidone on the functions of two new targets, collagen triple helix repeat containing protein 1 (CTHRC1) and four-and-a-half LIM domain protein 2 (FHL2), which included fibroblast activity, collagen gel contraction, and migration toward fibronectin. Compared to control lung fibroblasts, pirfenidone restored TGF-β1-stimulated fibroblast-mediated collagen gel contraction, migration, and CTHRC1 release in lung fibrotic fibroblasts. Furthermore, pirfenidone attenuated TGF-β1- and CTHRC1-induced fibroblast activity, bone morphogenic protein-4/Gremlin1 upregulation, and α-smooth muscle actin, fibronectin, and FHL2 downregulation, similar to that observed post-CTHRC1 inhibition. In contrast, FHL2 inhibition suppressed migration and fibronectin expression but did not downregulate CTHRC1. Overall, pirfenidone suppressed fibrotic fibroblast-mediated fibrotic processes via inverse regulation of CTHRC1-induced lung fibroblast activity. Thus, CTHRC1 can be used for predicting pirfenidone response and developing new therapeutic target for lung fibrosis.Summary statementPirfenidone suppressed TGF-β1-mediated fibrotic processes in fibrotic lung fibroblasts by attenuating CTHRC1 expression, suggesting that CTHRC1 may be a novel therapeutic target for treating patients with lung fibrosis.

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 937-946 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xingqi Deng ◽  
Kun Jin ◽  
Yanyan Li ◽  
Wei Gu ◽  
Mei Liu ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: Severe acute lung injury (ALI) often develops into acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Previous studies have shown that platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) participate in the pathogenesis of ARDS by stimulation of fibroblast proliferation, leading to the development of pulmonary fibrosis. However, the exact pathways downstream of PDGF and TGFβ receptor signaling have not been completely elucidated. Method: We treated human lung fibroblasts (HLF) with PDGF, or TGFβ1, or combined, and examined the activation of p38 MAPK, p42/p44 MAPK and SMAD3. We used a specific inhibitor PD98059 to antagonize phosphorylation of p42/p44 MAPK, or used a specific inhibitor SN203580 to antagonize phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, or used a specific inhibitor SIS3 to antagonize phosphorylation of SMAD3. We then examined the effects of these inhibitors on the activation of collagen I and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) induced by PDGF or TGFβ1 stimulation. Results: PDGF activated p38 MAPK and p42/p44 MAPK, but not SMAD3 in HLF cells. TGFβ1 activated p38 MAPK and SMAD3, but not p42/p44 MAPK in HLF cells. Activation of p38 MAPK by either PDGF or TGFβ1 induced α-SMA but not collagen I in HLF cells, while activation of p42/p44 MAPK by PDGF induced collagen I but not α-SMA in HLF cells. Activation of SMAD3 by TGFβ1 did not affect either collagen I or α-SMA in HLF cells. Conclusion: PDGF and TGFβ1 regulate ARDS-associated lung fibrosis through distinct signaling pathway-mediated activation of fibrosis-related proteins. Treatments with both PDGF and TGFβ1 antagonists may result in a better anti-fibrotic outcome for ALI-induced lung fibrosis.


2016 ◽  
pp. 661-672 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. PETEROVÁ ◽  
A. MRKVICOVÁ ◽  
L. PODMOLÍKOVÁ ◽  
M. ŘEZÁČOVÁ ◽  
J. KANTA

Rat liver myofibroblasts (MFB) are the key cells involved in the deposition of extracellular matrix in fibrotic liver. They were isolated by repeated passaging of non-parenchymal cell fraction and cultured in 3-dimensional (3D) collagen gel mimicking tissue. The transfer of MFB from plastic dishes to collagen resulted in the change in their shape from large and spread to slender with long extensions. The expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and of MFB markers, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and cellular fibronectin (EDA-FN), on protein level was significantly decreased in collagen gel. The gel did not change the expression of metalloproteinase MMP-2 but activated the proenzyme. The experiments with inhibitors of metabolic pathways showed that EDA-FN and α-SMA were differently regulated. The expression of EDA-FN required functional TGF-β1 receptors and was also dependent on the activity of protein kinases MEK1 and MEK2. α-SMA expression was primarily determined by the 3D environment. Fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF-1) in combination with heparin decreased the expression of α-SMA and increased the expression of EDA-FN in the cells on plastic. The cellular environment may influence the cells per se and may modify the action of other agents.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peta Bradbury ◽  
Cassandra P. Nader ◽  
Aylin Cidem ◽  
Sandra Rutting ◽  
Dianne Sylvester ◽  
...  

AbstractMany lung diseases are characterized by fibrosis, leading to impaired tissue patency and reduced lung function. Development of fibrotic tissue depends on two-way interaction between the cells and the extra-cellular matrix (ECM). Concentration-dependent increased stiffening of the ECM is sensed by the cells, which in turn increases intracellular contraction and pulling on the matrix causing matrix reorganization and further stiffening. It is generally accepted that the inflammatory cytokine growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) is a major driver of lung fibrosis through the stimulation of ECM production. However, TGF-β1 also regulates the expression of members of the tropomyosin (Tm) family of actin associating proteins that mediate ECM reorganization through intracellular-generated forces. Thus, TGF-β1 may mediate the bi-directional signaling between cells and the ECM that promotes tissue fibrosis. Using combinations of cytokine stimulation, mRNA, protein profiling and cellular contractility assays with human lung fibroblasts, we show that concomitant induction of key Tm isoforms and ECM by TGF-β1, significantly accelerates fibrotic phenotypes. Knocking down Tpm2.1 reduces fibroblast-mediated collagen gel contraction. Collectively, the data suggest combined ECM secretion and actin cytoskeleton contractility primes the tissue for enhanced fibrosis. Our study suggests that Tms are at the nexus of inflammation and tissue stiffening. Small molecules targeting specific Tm isoforms have recently been designed; thus targeting Tpm2.1 may represent a novel therapeutic target in lung fibrosis.


Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1628
Author(s):  
Kaj E. C. Blokland ◽  
Habibie Habibie ◽  
Theo Borghuis ◽  
Greta J. Teitsma ◽  
Michael Schuliga ◽  
...  

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a devastating lung disease with poor survival. Age is a major risk factor, and both alveolar epithelial cells and lung fibroblasts in this disease exhibit features of cellular senescence, a hallmark of ageing. Accumulation of fibrotic extracellular matrix (ECM) is a core feature of IPF and is likely to affect cell function. We hypothesize that aberrant ECM deposition augments fibroblast senescence, creating a perpetuating cycle favouring disease progression. In this study, primary lung fibroblasts were cultured on control and IPF-derived ECM from fibroblasts pretreated with or without profibrotic and prosenescent stimuli, and markers of senescence, fibrosis-associated gene expression and secretion of cytokines were measured. Untreated ECM derived from control or IPF fibroblasts had no effect on the main marker of senescence p16Ink4a and p21Waf1/Cip1. However, the expression of alpha smooth muscle actin (ACTA2) and proteoglycan decorin (DCN) increased in response to IPF-derived ECM. Production of the proinflammatory cytokines C-X-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 8 (CXCL8) by lung fibroblasts was upregulated in response to senescent and profibrotic-derived ECM. Finally, the profibrotic cytokines transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) were upregulated in response to both senescent- and profibrotic-derived ECM. In summary, ECM deposited by IPF fibroblasts does not induce cellular senescence, while there is upregulation of proinflammatory and profibrotic cytokines and differentiation into a myofibroblast phenotype in response to senescent- and profibrotic-derived ECM, which may contribute to progression of fibrosis in IPF.


2008 ◽  
Vol 294 (5) ◽  
pp. L843-L861 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Tourkina ◽  
Mathieu Richard ◽  
Pal Gööz ◽  
Michael Bonner ◽  
Jaspreet Pannu ◽  
...  

Lung fibrosis involves the overexpression of ECM proteins, primarily collagen, by α-smooth muscle actin (ASMA)-positive cells. Caveolin-1 is a master regulator of collagen expression by cultured lung fibroblasts and of lung fibrosis in vivo. A peptide equivalent to the caveolin-1 scaffolding domain (CSD peptide) inhibits collagen and tenascin-C expression by normal lung fibroblasts (NLF) and fibroblasts from the fibrotic lungs of scleroderma patients (SLF). CSD peptide inhibits ASMA expression in SLF but not NLF. Similar inhibition of collagen, tenascin-C, and ASMA expression was also observed when caveolin-1 expression was upregulated using adenovirus. These observations suggest that the low caveolin-1 levels in SLF cause their overexpression of collagen, tenascin-C, and ASMA. In mechanistic studies, MEK, ERK, JNK, and Akt were hyperactivated in SLF, and CSD peptide inhibited their activation and altered their subcellular localization. These studies and experiments using kinase inhibitors suggest many differences between NLF and SLF in signaling cascades. To validate these data, we determined that the alterations in signaling molecule activation observed in SLF also occur in fibrotic lung tissue from scleroderma patients and in mice with bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis. Finally, we demonstrated that systemic administration of CSD peptide to bleomycin-treated mice blocks epithelial cell apoptosis, inflammatory cell infiltration, and changes in tissue morphology as well as signaling molecule activation and collagen, tenascin-C, and ASMA expression associated with lung fibrosis. CSD peptide may be a prototype for novel treatments for human lung fibrosis that act, in part, by inhibiting the expression of ASMA and ECM proteins.


Pharmacology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 104 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 81-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Liu ◽  
Tan Deng ◽  
Yaxin Wang ◽  
Mengmeng Zhang ◽  
Guannan Zhu ◽  
...  

Background: Intestinal fibrosis is the major complication of Crohn’s disease (CD). There are no other good treatments for CD except surgery and remains a refractory disease. Calycosin (CA), the active component of astragalus membranaceus, has been reported the potential effect on lung fibrosis and renal fibrosis. In this study, we aim to explore the effect of CA on intestinal fibrosis in vitro and the possible signal pathway. Methods: The antifibrotic effect of CA is investigated in human intestinal fibroblasts (CCD-18Co) cells induced by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). MTT method was used to screen the concentration of CA. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis were used to evaluate the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen I, and TGF-β/Smad pathway. Results: The results showed that the concentration of CA was 12.5, 25, 50 μmol/L. CA could inhibit the expression of α-SMA and collagen I. In addition, CA regulated the expression of TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that CA could inhibit the activation of CCD-18Co cells and reduce the expression of extracellular matrix. Our study highlighted that CA-inhibited TGF-β/Smad pathway through inhibiting the expression of p-Smad2, p-Smad3, Smad4, and TGF-β1 and raised the Smad7 expression. Therefore, CA might inhibit intestinal fibrosis by inhibiting the TGF-β/Smad pathway.


1998 ◽  
Vol 275 (2) ◽  
pp. L365-L371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph A. Lasky ◽  
Luis A. Ortiz ◽  
Boihoang Tonthat ◽  
Gary W. Hoyle ◽  
Miriam Corti ◽  
...  

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a newly described 38-kDa peptide mitogen for fibroblasts and a promoter of connective tissue deposition in the skin. The CTGF gene promotor contains a transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) response element. Because TGF-β1 expression is upregulated in several models of fibroproliferative lung disease, we asked whether CTGF is also upregulated in a murine lung fibrosis model and whether CTGF could mediate some of the fibrogenic effects associated with TGF-β1. A portion of the rat CTGF gene was cloned and used to show that primary isolates of both murine and human lung fibroblasts express CTGF mRNA in vitro. There was a greater than twofold increase in CTGF expression in both human and murine lung fibroblasts 2, 4, and 24 h after the addition of TGF-β1 in vitro. A bleomycin-sensitive mouse strain (C57BL/6) and a bleomycin-resistant mouse strain (BALB/c) were given bleomycin, a known lung fibrogenic agent. CTGF mRNA expression was upregulated in the sensitive, but not in the resistant, mouse strain after administration of bleomycin. In vivo differences in the CTGF expression between the two mouse strains were not due to an inherent inability of BALB/c lung fibroblasts to respond to TGF-β1 because fibroblasts from untreated BALB/c mouse lung upregulated their CTGF message when treated with TGF-β1 in vitro. These data demonstrate that CTGF is expressed in lung fibroblasts and may play a role in the pathogenesis of lung fibrosis.


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